7 Causes of pain in the heel (and what to do)

There are several situations that can cause pain in the heel, such as changing the shape of the foot, being overweight, having given a blow or stepping incorrectly.

However, this pain can also be caused by a spur on the calcaneus or by a more serious inflammatory disease such as plantar fascitis, bursitis or gout, for example, which can cause constant pain on the floor while walking, as well as on the on both pies.

To relieve the pain, you should go to a consultation with a traumatologist, you may need to carry out some diagnostic tests to identify what is the cause of the problem and indicate the most appropriate treatment, which may include the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, orthotics for them. pies, stay at rest and/or help the physical therapist to carry out some postural correction exercises, stretching or joint strengthening, depending on the origin of the problem.

Some more common causes of pain in the heel and what happens in each case are:

1. Biomechanical changes

The changes in the form of the foot or in the form of walking, which have been provided since the birth with the person, or are acquired during the course of life, as for example foot plan, in addition to genuine varus the he genu valgus del retropié are important causes of pain in the foot. This happens due to modifications that cause a bad support of the pie in the south, and the ones that can end up overloading some articulation or the reason that they would not.

What to do: In some cases, postural correction exercises, use of braces and plants may be indicated or, even, surgery, without embargo, it is necessary to follow the traumatologist and the physiotherapist, so that the alterations can be evaluated and the best treatment planned.

It should be remembered that women who use small heels cause a kind of momentary “deformity” in the biomechanics of the feet, which can compromise the tendon and the calf muscle, which is also a cause of pain in the heel. .

2. Blows and trauma

A trauma to the heel, caused by a blow, a jump during a race or due to wearing out the shoes, can cause pain in the region, which can last several days, or injuries to the skin, muscles and bones can occur.

What to do: it is recommended to keep it rested for a period, which varies according to the intensity of the injury, but it can be between 2 days to 1 week. If the pain persists, an evaluation by the traumatologist is necessary to observe if there are more serious injuries, and if there is a need for the use of anti-inflammatory drugs or immobilization of the region.

A good suggestion to recover faster is to put cold water compresses, to reduce inflammation and swelling, in addition to choosing the use of comfortable shoes.

3. Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fascitis is tissue inflammation that covers the entire foot plant, usually caused by repetitive trauma or injuries to the plantar fascia, which is a fibrous and firm band that supports and maintains the foot plantar arch, which leads to one inflammation in the area.

Some of its main causes include: having an espolón on the heels, staying off foot for long periods, overweight, having flat feet and excessive physical activity. This inflammation causes pain due to the heel of the heel, which makes it difficult to walk or use shoes after the morning starts.

What to do: the stretching of the pantorrilla and the foot plant, strengthening exercises, massage with deep friction, infiltration with corticosteroids, use of plants, radiofrequency in the place of pain, sleeping formula are forms of treatment that can be indicated. Some exercises include wringing an extended towel in suelo with the fingers of the feet and holding a meter or canica with the fingers of the foot.

Learn more about plantar fascitis.

4. Espolón del calcáneo

It is a small fibrous projection that forms in the heel of the heel as a result of pressure and intense overload on the foot plant for long periods of time, which is why it is more common in people older than 40 years, overweight people, and use of poorly suited footwear, deformities in feet or runners, for example.

Whoever suffers from espolón can present pain when rising or stepping, siendo común por la mañana. Furthermore, it is very common that the espolón is associated with the formation of plantar fascitis, and that inflammation can extend to surrounding structures.

What to do: The treatment of espolón should be done when there is local inflammation, mainly when it occurs in conjunction with plantar fascitis, it is recommended to use hielo, rest and use of anti-inflammatories, guided by the doctor. See more about the treatment of calcáneo espolón.

See what exercises you can do in the video below:

5. Bursitis of the heel

The bursa is a small pocket that serves as a cushion that is located between the heel of the heel and the Achilles tendon, when there is pain in the posterior part of the heel, which causes pain to move the foot. This inflammation usually occurs in people who exercise or are athletes after a sprain or injury, but it can also occur due to Haglund’s deformity that occurs when there is a bony prominence in the upper part of the heel, causing pain in the heel, but on the part posterior of the heel, around the Achilles tendon.

What to do: It may be necessary to take anti-inflammatories, use hielo compresses, reduce training, use physiotherapy devices, stretch and exercise. See more details on how the treatment is carried out.

6. Sever’s illness

Sever’s illness is the pain in the region of the calcaneus growth plate that affects children who practice impact exercises such as career, jumping, artistic gymnastics and dancers who dance with many jumps in the point of los pies.

What to do: it is necessary to reduce the intensity of the training and the heels to prevent it from getting worse, it is also possible to place some cubes of hielo coiled in a servilleta for 20 minutes and use a plate for the heel to support the heel inside the shoes and on the floor barefoot. Always start the training with 10 minutes of walking.

7. drop

Gout, or gouty arthritis, is an inflammatory disease caused by an excess of uric acid in the blood, which can accumulate in the joint and cause inflammation and intense pain. Although it is more common in the fat finger of the foot, the gout can also appear in the talon, and the feet are the main places for the accumulation of uric acid.

What to do: The treatment for gout crisis is guided by the doctor, and is based on anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen, for example. Further, follow-up with a rheumatologist is necessary, who can also prescribe medication to control blood uric acid levels to avoid new crises and prevent complications.

Know what is and how to identify the drop.

How to know what cause of pain

The best way to know the cause of pain in the heel is to try to find exactly the region of pain and try to identify some other reason such as having increased physical activity, having started a new sport, having given a blow in that place or something for the style.

Placing a cold compress in the place of pain can alleviate the symptoms, as well as removing the feet by soaking them in a bucket with hot water. If the pain persists for more than 1 week, consult a traumatologist and/or physical therapist so that the cause is identified and treatment begins.